Members of Malta’s disciplined forces who stay on after 29 years of service are set to benefit from a 29% pension increase, under a new government measure announced by Home Affairs and Security Minister Glenn Bedingfield.The measure raises the existing maximum increase from 23% to 29%, giving long-serving members an additional six percentage points on their pension. The previous 23% incentive for members serving beyond 29 years is also documented by Malta’s Social Security Department.And that’s not the only change on the way.Members who complete 29 years and choose to remain in the service can also receive a tax-free allowance equivalent to half a year’s salary for every additional year worked.The maximum period during which they can benefit from that incentive is now being extended from four years to six.The measures apply to members of the Armed Forces of Malta, Malta Police Force, Civil Protection Department and Correctional Services.They form part of commitments announced in the government’s electoral manifesto and are being introduced within the first 100 days of the legislature.Bedingfield described the changes as recognition of the years of service given by members of the disciplined forces.“These are not simply financial measures,” he said, arguing that the country was giving something back to people who had dedicated their careers to serving it.But the incentives have another objective: keeping experienced officers in uniform for longer.According to Bedingfield, encouraging veteran members to remain in service allows the disciplined forces to retain knowledge and expertise accumulated over decades, which can then be passed on to younger generations.“When an officer with decades of experience remains in service, our country is not simply retaining a member of staff,” he said. “We are investing in further knowledge, expertise and experience that can be of value to future generations.”The minister also linked investment in the disciplined forces with public security, arguing that retaining experienced personnel ultimately contributes to the quality of life of Maltese and Gozitan families.Under existing service-pension rules, members of the Police Force, AFM, Civil Protection and Correctional Services have specific pension arrangements tied to their years of service.The newly announced measures now sweeten the deal for those willing to stay on beyond the 29-year mark.What do you make of this?•